Running up the score? The New England Patriots got a ton of heat for running up the score in 2007. But the Broncos have avoided any of that talk, despite scoring at a higher rate than the ’07 Patriots. If Denver scores 50-plus points against Dallas, I wonder if any national writers will pick up on the theme.

Jeff, scoreboard watcher

Kiz: Here’s one theory. These Broncos are more likable than any Patriots team. New England quarterback Tom Brady makes guys envious. Those same guys wish Denver QB Peyton Manning could be their neighbor. And next to evil Dr. Hoodie (Bill Belichick), Broncos coach John Fox is downright cuddly. Run up the score? Here’s thinking Denver might have to do it to survive in Dallas. Prediction: Broncos 37, Cowboys 34.

Mr. October a bad rap. I absolutely agree with you and Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey: Expanding the NFL season to 18 games would be a bad idea. As it is, I decided years ago not to pay much attention to the opening eight games of the season unless there is a good matchup between top teams or a player such as Manning is performing brilliantly. A team can be confused about the real purpose of the first eight games: Get your act together, then do well enough in the second half of the season to make a run at the Super Bowl.

Stan, Fort Collins

Kiz: Manning is Mr. October. That’s awesome in baseball, not so hot in football. And that’s the one thing Manning must change to be known as the greatest QB who ever played.

Expanding playoffs a rinky-dink idea. Loved your column about how the NFL is a glutton for profit. If fans want more football, why not add more teams to the postseason? This is what I would do: Cut one or more preseason games and add two teams from the NFC and AFC to the playoffs. I would rather see more wild-card teams than more regular-season games, which only increases the chance of injury and seeing Brock Osweiler playing quarterback for the Broncos in the Super Bowl.

Clint, Appleton, Wis.

Kiz: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell knows he would look like a hypocrite on the issue of player health by expanding the regular season anytime soon. So his plan to increase profits is to add playoff teams. Here’s the problem: If you expanded the playoff field to 16 teams, having a winning record would no longer be a qualification for making the tournament. Seven teams with 8-8 records or worse would have qualified for the playoffs during the past four seasons. The NFL postseason should be more prestigious than some rinky-dink college bowl game in Shreveport, La., don’t you think?

Logical head vs. Rockies’ heart. And today’s parting shot is from a Colorado baseball fan who can’t quit the Rockies:

I got my season-ticket renewal e-mail from Rockies owner Dick Monfort. No changes in the front office? Unbelievable! So frustrating. My head tells me to turn my back on the Rockies, but my heart won’t let me. Write a column and flame these knuckleheads.

WASHINGTON — Thirty games into the 82-game NHL season, and nearly six weeks after the Matt Duchene trade, Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic discussed the state of his team before Tuesday’s 5-2 loss at the Washington Capitals.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Rockies continued to bolster their bullpen Wednesday by agreeing to a contract to bring left-handed reliever Jake McGee back to Colorado. A major-league source confirmed the news, but the Rockies have not made the signing official.